High streets, local parks, youth clubs, cultural venues, libraries and more in scope of regeneration, creating local growth and opportunities through new Plan for Neighbourhoods.
Wales is set to receive a significant financial boost with £100 million allocated to revitalise neighbourhoods, enhance public spaces, and drive local economic growth. The funding forms part of the UK Government’s broader £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods, which aims to support 75 areas across the country in tackling deprivation and fostering long-term prosperity.
This investment is designed to transform struggling communities by providing substantial funding for public services, infrastructure improvements, and economic development initiatives. Among the Welsh areas set to benefit from the scheme are Barry, Wrexham, Rhyl, Cwmbrân, and Merthyr Tydfil. Each locality will have access to a share of the funding, with up to £20 million available per area to implement targeted improvements based on local priorities.
The initiative seeks to breathe new life into high streets, parks, cultural venues, libraries, and youth centres while strengthening community cohesion through local decision-making. Neighbourhood Boards will be established in each selected area, bringing together residents, businesses, and grassroots organisations to determine how best to utilise the funding. The UK Government emphasises that these boards will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their communities, ensuring that investment is directed towards projects that will have the most meaningful impact.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, expressed her commitment to ensuring local people have a greater say in how their communities develop. She highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of neighbourhoods that have long been neglected.
“For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow. Communities across the UK have so much to offer – rich cultural capital, unique heritage, but most of all, an understanding of their own neighbourhood. We will do things differently. Our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential, having control of where the Whitehall cash goes – what issues they want to tackle, where they want to regenerate, and what growth they want to turbocharge,” said Rayner.
The scheme is part of the UK Government’s wider Plan for Change, a national strategy aimed at renewing communities, boosting economic opportunities, and enhancing public services. Ministers have described the Plan for Neighbourhoods as a crucial step towards achieving these long-term objectives, particularly in addressing inequalities that have persisted in underfunded areas for decades.
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris, emphasised the broader benefits of the initiative, stating that empowering communities is key to ensuring nationwide economic success.
“When our local neighbourhoods thrive, the rest of the country thrives too. That’s why we are empowering communities to take control of their futures and create the regeneration and growth they want to see. Our Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver long-term funding that will bolster that inner community spirit in us all and relight the fires in corners of the UK that have for too long been left fighting for survival,” Norris said.
The investment will complement ongoing efforts by the Welsh Government to support regeneration and local economic growth. Both administrations have committed to working together to align their strategies and ensure the funding delivers the maximum possible benefit for communities across Wales.
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, welcomed the initiative and stressed its potential to create lasting change.
“The UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods is fantastic news for Wales, providing £100 million to boost growth by investing in high streets, parks, cultural venues, youth clubs, and more. We are working with the Welsh Government to help local people from Rhyl to Merthyr Tydfil transform their communities. Our Plan for Change sets out how we want to grow the economy, create jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets. Targeted local funding is a vital part of our economic growth mission and will support the fantastic work the Welsh Government is already doing to regenerate communities across Wales,” Stevens said.
The Plan for Neighbourhoods differs from previous government regeneration efforts by focusing on long-term sustainability rather than short-term projects. The funding will be used to address local challenges such as crime, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, ensuring a holistic approach to community renewal.
In addition to direct financial support, communities will benefit from practical measures such as improved infrastructure, enhanced public transport, and access to essential services. The initiative also encourages local entrepreneurship by supporting co-operatives, low-cost community grocers, and initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of living for residents.
The government has pledged to work closely with the Welsh Government to ensure that the Plan for Neighbourhoods is seamlessly integrated into existing local strategies. The overarching aim is to create self-sufficient communities that can sustain growth beyond the initial investment period.
As the Plan for Neighbourhoods begins to take shape, attention will now turn to how each Neighbourhood Board will prioritise funding allocation. The process will involve consultations with local stakeholders, ensuring that the voices of residents and businesses are at the heart of decision-making. With an emphasis on community-led regeneration, the government hopes that this initiative will set a precedent for future investment in local areas, creating a lasting legacy of economic growth and social inclusion across Wales.
The rollout of the funding marks a significant milestone in the UK Government’s broader ambition to decentralise decision-making and give communities greater control over their own development. With the first projects set to begin in the coming months, residents of Barry, Wrexham, Rhyl, Cwmbrân, and Merthyr Tydfil can look forward to a new chapter of investment, growth, and transformation.
